Le Chateau d’Ancy Le France May 1


Today is a national holiday so the lock keepers have the day off, but our captain has made arrangements for them to assist us on getting through the locks in a mannerly time. Much to everyone’s surprise we woke up to very nice weather, no rain and peeks of sun it would be the beginning of one of the nicest weather days we have had. The barge moves at a snails pace so when you are walking the boat is always within reach . As you walk along the toe paths there are locks that raise and lower the water levels. In order to get on and off the boat you must pace your walk so you make it to the next lock by the time the boat arrives, this has not been a problem for us. Today we went to the Le Chateau d’Ancy Le France where Glen gave us an extraordinary history lesson and tour of the chateau. After the tour we revisited the panoramic view that I had not been able to complete the day before. Tonight there was entertainment on the boat not just us entertaining one and another but a flute traversiere and guitar player. The Ricercare Duo founded in 1994 met each other at the Sorbonne University . The guitarists bio was interesting because she proposes musical fairy tales for children. After the lovely concert we were seated for dinner. We dined on quail eggs, poached with salmon and cream, duck, and chocolate fondant. The meal was nice but the fondant was not as good as everything else we have had. I forgot to mention the service part of this trip, at each meal we have 2 wines and of course cheese, in the morning our bed is made and fresh towels are laid out, at night before flopping into bed, the covers are turned back and pillows fluffed. Not sure who is going to do this when I get home. The staff is excellent and the rooms are very spacious kind of like being at home.